Photo credit: Anna Logue

Studying Abroad

The University of Mannheim offers its students numerous opportunities to spend one or two semesters abroad. You will expand your specialist knowledge, improve your foreign language skills, and immerse yourself in a new culture. Find out what steps you need to take to apply.

Applying for the university's exchange programs

Step 1:

Get informed.

Step 2:

Decide on a stay abroad.

Step 3:

Apply for the universities where you would like to spend a semester abroad.

How to decide?

Please use the following questions as guidelines for your decision-making process:

1. Do I want to spend one semester or an entire year abroad or do I prefer a shorter period for my stay abroad?

2. Would I like to study abroad, do an internship or maybe even combine the two? Or is a summer school an alternative for me?

3. Which language(s) do I speak and at which level? So which regions of the world are open to me?

4. When do I want to go abroad? When is the respective application deadline?

5. What is financially feasible and what scholarships are available? Would I prefer a partner university where I do not have to pay any fees, or can I, as a free mover, also afford a university that charges me (high) tuition fees?
How to apply?

Depending on your destination and your desired mobility period, different partner universities may be suitable for you.
Before submitting your application, research your target destination(s) in the database of partner universities and name your five priorities.

Application deadlines for studying abroad

Destination	fall	fall & spring	spring	spring & fall
Europe	January 1 of the year of the stay abroad	January 1 of the year of the stay abroad	April 30 of the year before the stay abroad	-
Overseas North (USA, Canada, Mexico, Asia (except for Japan), Africa	October 15 of the year before the stay abroad	October 15 of the year before the stay abroad	October 15 of the academic year before the stay abroad	-
Overseas South (Australia, South America, Japan)	April 30 of the year before the stay abroad	-	April 30 of the year before the stay abroad	April 30 of the year before the stay abroad

Destination	fall	fall & spring	spring	spring & fall
Europe	January 31 of the year of the stay abroad	January 31 of the year of the stay abroad	April 30 of the year before the stay abroad	-
Overseas North (USA, Canada, Mexico, Asia (except for Japan), Africa	October 15 of the year before the stay abroad	October 15 of the year before the stay abroad	October 15 of the academic year before the stay abroad	-
Overseas South (Australia, South America, Japan)		-	April 30 of the year before the stay abroad	April 30 of the year before the stay abroad

16

Oct

4:30 p.m.
‐
5:15 p.m.

C103

Infoveranstaltung für Outgoings

Kurswahl und Anerkennung von Leistungen aus dem Ausland

16:30 - 17:15

C103

During my semester abroad, I found a second home. Glasgow is an open city with humorous people - and being part of the Erasmus community, I felt immediately at home. Studying at another university does not only bring new knowledge and new acquaintances, but also changes and enriches your perspective on your home country. There is no question that the five months that I spent in Glasgow are one of the most exciting periods of my life.

Simon Steiger, B.Sc. Psychology, University of Glasgow

My semester abroad in Northern Ireland was an incredibly enriching experience. The Queen's University Belfast is an outstanding university, ideally suited to international students, offering plenty of opportunities to make new friends and spend an unforgettable semester together. The historic city of Belfast, the second largest city on the Irish island, is not far from Dublin. If you've had enough of the city’s great museums and sights, you can enjoy breathtaking coastal walks in the immediate vicinity - the perfect reward for your academic commitment!

Fahima Farkhari, M.Sc. Psychology - Cognitive and Clinical Psychology, Queen's University Belfast / Private photo

My semester abroad in Japan has been an experience I will never forget. From huge house fronts with loud neon lights to vast natural areas - the country is incredibly diverse. What I will remember most are the people from all over the world as they taught me a lot and I had a lot of fun with them. During my semester abroad, I learned that we might have different cultures, yet we all have the same motives and needs and speak a common language. Japan is the perfect destination for all those who want to step out of their comfort zone, grow personally, and enjoy great food.

Anil-Melih Sahin, M.Sc. Psychology - Work, Economy and Society, Hitotsubashi University

Photo credit: Anna Logue

Database of Partner Universities

Choose from up to 100 exchange programs offered by the School of Social Sciences.

Partner universities

Photo credit: Elisa Berdica

Going Abroad as a Free Mover

What to do if you want to organize your stay abroad yourself.

Free movers

Photo credit: Anna Logue

Applying

Applications via Mobility-Online are submitted to the International Office.

Application details

Photo credit: Elisa Berdica

Questions and Answers on Financing

Information on scholarships and financing abroad.

Funding sources

Photo credit: Anna Logue

How-to: Learning Agreement

Before you go abroad, a recognition agreement must be concluded.

Learning Agreement

Photo credit: Anna Logue

Recognition of Credits Obtained Abroad

Studying abroad without being set back in your studies in Mannheim.

Recognition of credits

Photo credit: Anna Logue

Would You Prefer a Short-Term Program?

Another way to gain international experience.

Summer Schools

Can I go abroad without having to extend my studies?

We encourage all students to go abroad during their studies.

If you would like to have the courses and examinations you take at a university abroad recognized, please contact the program managers and/or departmental exchange coordinators before leaving. They will coordinate the courses to be recognized with you. By concluding a Learning Agreement, it is usually possible to stay within the regular period of study.
When and where do I apply for an academic leave of absence?
You can apply for leave of absence during your studies citing a valid reason (section 61 subsection 1 of the Act on Higher Education of the Land of Baden-Württemberg (LHG)).
A valid reason for being granted an academic leave of absence is for example:

an internship,

a semester abroad,

maternity leave / parental leave / parenting, or

health issues.

The application must be filed before the semester it corresponds to begins. Further information can be obtained from Student Services.
What happens if I do not want to have a course taken abroad recognized?

If you decide not to have a course recognized even after you have concluded a Learning Agreement, simply delete it from the Learning Agreement yourself before submitting a request for recognition of your credits obtained abroad to the Central Examination Committee (ZPA). Please note that you will then have to take the corresponding course in Mannheim.

If you have already had the course recognized, you can also use your attempt at improvement in Mannheim to retake the examination taken abroad in order to improve your grade. Please register your attempt at improvement personally at the Student Services.

Exchange coordinators at the School of Social Sciences

If you have any subject-specific questions about studying abroad, such as questions regarding the selection and recognition of courses, please contact the departmental exchange coordinators at the School of Social Sciences. For any organizational issues, such as the application, visa or scholarships, the International Office will be at your disposal.

Dr. Gledis Londo

Program Manager Political Science

University of Mannheim
School of Social Sciences
A 5, 6
Building A – Room A 418
68159 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-1826
Fax: +49 621 181-1997
E-mail: pol(at)sowi.uni-mannheim.de
Web: www.sowi.uni-mannheim.de/en/

Consultation hour(s):
Mondays 11:00 a.m. – noon, Wednesdays 2–4 p.m.
Not available: October 21–31

Leonie Cegla, M.Sc.

Program Manager Psychology (Bachelor)

University of Mannheim
School of Social Sciences
A 5, 6
Building A – Room A 419
68159 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-1974
Fax: +49 621 181-1997
E-mail: psybsc(at)uni-mannheim.de
Web: www.sowi.uni-mannheim.de/en/

Consultation hour(s):
Mon 11 a.m.–noon
Wed 2–4 p.m.
No office hour: October 2, 2019

Tina Penga, Dipl.-Psych.

Program Manager Psychology (Master)

University of Mannheim
School of Social Sciences
A 5, 6
Building A – Room A 417
68159 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-2790
Fax: +49 621 181-1997
E-mail: psymsc(at)uni-mannheim.de
Web: www.sowi.uni-mannheim.de/en/

Consultation hour(s):
Mon 11 a.m.–noon

Attendance:
Die Sprechstunde am 7.10.2019 entfällt.

Katharina Heck, M.A.

Program Manager Sociology

University of Mannheim
School of Social Sciences
A 5, 6
Building A – Room A 416
68159 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-2188
Fax: +49 621 181-1997
E-mail: soc(at)sowi.uni-mannheim.de
Web: www.sowi.uni-mannheim.de/en/

Consultation hour(s):
Mon 11 a.m – 12 p.m., Wed 2–4 p.m.
No office hours on October, 9th.
General exchange coordinators for international relations

Christian Dristram, M.A.

Internationalization Manager

University of Mannheim
School of Social Sciences
A 5, 6
Building A – Room A 408
68159 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-1981
Fax: +49 621 181-1997
E-mail: international(at)sowi.uni-mannheim.de

Advice and support provided by the International Office

Kathrin Blitzke

Team Coordinator / Study Abroad and Bilateral Agreements European Exchange Programs I (UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg)

University of Mannheim
Division II - Student Affairs
International Office
L 1, 1 – Room 105
68161 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-1159
E-mail: blitzke(at)verwaltung.uni-mannheim.de

Consultation hour(s):
Mon 9 a.m.–noon and Wed 2–5 p.m.
and by appointment

Kerstin Bach

Erasmus Institutional Coordinator / Erasmus Staff Exchange / Study Abroad and Bilateral Agreements European Exchange Programs II (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal)

University of Mannheim
Division II - Student Affairs
International Office
L 1, 1 – Room 160
68161 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-1160
E-mail: bach(at)verwaltung.uni-mannheim.de

Consultation hour(s):
Mon 9 a.m.–noon and Wed 2–5 p.m.
and by appointment

Lukas Dausend

Study Abroad and Bilateral Agreements Overseas Exchange Programs II (South America, Asia, Africa, Israel) – European Exchange Programs III (Northern and Eastern Europe, Switzerland)

University of Mannheim
Division II - Student Affairs
International Office
L 1, 1 – Room 160
68161 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-1137
E-mail: lukas.dausend(at)verwaltung.uni-mannheim.de

Consultation hour(s):
Mon 9 a.m.–noon and Wed 2–5 p.m.
and by appointment

Carita Emmerich-Wessels

Study Abroad and Bilateral Agreements Overseas Exchange Programs I (North America, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand)

University of Mannheim
Division II - Student Affairs
International Office
L 1, 1 – Room 105
68161 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-1157
E-mail: emmerich(at)verwaltung.uni-mannheim.de

Consultation hour(s):
Mon 9 a.m.–noon and Wed 2–5 p.m.
and by appointment

Studying Abroad

Applying for the university's exchange programs

How to decide?

How to apply?

Application deadlines for studying abroad

Deadlines for bachelor’s programs

Deadlines for master’s programs